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Sunday August 29, 2004
Transcript of Q&A with Tony Head
Saturday Banquet transcript
Saturday Q & A transcript
pictures
NOTE: Anytime this, {...}, appears, it indicates a place where I could not determine exactly what was said. In most cases, it was only a few words, but in a few cases there is a gap of a minute or so.There was not a microphone for the audience so questions and comments from the audience are summarized as best as possible.
Announcer: (He was making some general convention announcements and says "You still love me?" just as Tony walks out without him realizing it at first. The audience cheered loudly and it took him a moment to realize the cheers were for Tony who stands next to him mugging to the audience while he finishes his introduction.) Our next guest is a consummate professional who's...um...a lot taller when I stand next to him than you give him credit for on television. And he's really very understanding and patient as we feel this stuff out {...} He's the Folgers Guy! (Tony corrects him). Oh, Taster's Choice. That's right, that's right...and it was so romantic and beautiful until he found out that she had a kid. {...} But then he became a Watcher and then he had to chase around this cute little blonde with a stake saying "You have to use this, or we both die!" And he's some other great work. Some of you may have seen a little show on the BBC called MI-5 {...} He's going to play about whatever the heck he wants, because he rules. And he's a great singer. Who was at the banquet? (cheers from audience) What did you think, and I'm not asking about the chicken. What did you think? (more cheers) Anthony!Stewart!Head!
Tony: Thank you very much. That was painful. (laughs) All that energy! I could feel it just like, ebbing out of you, dude. (to convention guy - I really am going to have to start learning their names) Like...he's hanging...a long weekend. So how are you doing? (crowd cheers) Whoo! Guess that means all right. Whooooo! It could mean, my chair is electrified. Your hand's up already! (to a woman walking to her seat) We haven't even started. As you're walking down the aisle, you've your hands up. Um... I just wanted to say something. I didn't want to say anything yesterday because...um...it was... because Nicky was on stage with me as well. But a lot of people come up to me during the signings and things and saying, you know, it's like, "Well, thank goodness you're here, we've been to like...you know, three other things that you've cancelled, you've not been able to make them." It's not always the case...when, ah...it's happened to me twice now, dates that for some reason or another, something has gone down and ahhh...it's not always about me not being able to make it because of work commitments. Dunno...it makes...it rubs slightly up the wrong way. I don't like...you know, there was one recently in Glasgow where basically...um...they didn't pay (laughs) any money at all. And it was kind of like...well what am I going to do there? This sucks, this is...you know...not the deal, the contract wasn't, blah-de-blah. So they sort of said "Oh it's all right! We'll just say that you couldn't make it because of work commitments." I said, no, that's not right! It's you who basically screwed up. They didn't take my name off the...um...off their website, so people turned up, so I ended up going for like 2 hours just to be for the people who'd paid to be there! (applause from audience) Nah! That's not the point. Basically you know, he said "Oh, thank god you've come" I said, "I didn't come for you, dude, I came for the people, you know, so just like...back in your box" But...um...um...but there was another one last year...um...Moonlight Rising, and it wasn't anything to do with work commitments. It was the fact that, you know, I was last to be booked, and it was undersubscribed or over - whatever the reason, but it wasn't anything to do with my work commitments. And I have no idea what the Chicago one was. Several people have said, you know, "You didn't go to the Chicago one!" So I'm going to find out about that, whether or not I was actually booked or...whether it's...you know, I have a really sad memory, it has to be said. Well, we get on. Um...what can I say? (said in a mock weary voice) You should try living it...inside, you know...living inside this head, but anyway. (laughs) But...um...and the one, there was one in...um...was it...there was one in the South somewhere that basically...(someone says Houston) Houston? Right. But that got cancelled because of you know...whatever it was, I think everybody knows about that. But anyway, I'm not going to dwell on it. But just for the record, you know, it's not always about, you know...it seems to be the easy way out is to say, you know, the actor couldn't do it because of work commitments, but it's not always the case. So check it out. Because it...I find it slightly not right that people turned up thinking I was going to be there and were disappointed, so there you go. Anyway! {...} You've still got your hand up. You've had your hand up since you walked down there? You are very keen, madam. Right you are. Fire away.
She comments on his banquet performance the night before and Tony comments as she is talking
Tony: At the banquet last night...you didn't know that I'd done Frank 'n' Furter... (laughs) Thank you. (cheers from audience) Ah...is there a DVD? No there isn't, actually. I mean, basically, I did it...ah...I did it at Picadilly Theatre... um...I took over from an actor called Tim McInnerny who hated every moment of it. It was bizarre, but he really hated it. He did it three months, and then I took over, I did...ah...I did nine months and it was...um... it was the best, best time. And then did it again...I did a special guest takeover from Robin Cousins. I don't know if anyone remembers him, he was a skater. (crowd indicates they do remember him) Yeah, well, Frank 'n' Furter is not...bless him...I mean...he's a very sweet man (laughing). But in the whole sequence at the end, they built in this sort of mock skating thing...and it was bizarre (laughing more) because obviously he wasn't on ice! (mimics skating around) Don't ask me, but anyway, he felt that's his strength...(giggles) Anyway, I took over from him for a while. And we did talk about this...we talked about last - was it last year? I don't know, sometime last year, when I was still doing Buffy. Um...I was going to do some guest appearances...they were doing a tour around England, and I was going to do some of the bigger venues. But I couldn't do...one of them, I think. It was just, basically, because I was doing Buffy...and...um...one or two. So it...blew up. But, don't know, maybe I'll drag my weary old bones on that one more time, I don't know. But thank you. (crowd claps) Thank you. Um...there is, if you do, if you want to see the gear - and it is kind of sad that a man my age walking about in that gear - but...um...there was a VH1 special that was done a while back that was sort of a Rocky Horror karaoke thing (several audience members shout out "25th anniversary"). I beg your pardon? Thank you! (he shouts back) Can you do it in harmony? The 25th anniversary of Rocky, and...um...Amber did...um...ah...."Toucha, Toucha, Touch Me" and...um...I can't remember...it was a bunch of people that did things. Um...the geezer...who was the geezer off...um... who's with Demi Moore, who is he? (some people call out Bruce Willis. Tony reacts with mock disgust.) No. People, I'm bad enough, but good god! (A few more calls of Bruce Willis before finally someone says Ashton Kutcher) Yes. Him. Um... he was...he did the sort of...he was the sort of the emcee, and it was fairly bizarre. But anyway...um... um... it's...yeah, I didn't get to do Sweet Transvestite because that was already taken, nor did I get to do Going Home which is my favorite song to sing, but...um... (people start shouting for him to sing it now) No, I can't. Do what now? I did promise, but I'll do it later, I'm not doing it now, but otherwise I'll have shot me {...} if you'll excuse the expression. Um.. but anyway if you could find that, at least you know - I think that's...I can't remember which one I sang but I did sing the only one...um...Planet Schmanet, Janet. (crowd member yells out something) What? (audience member repeats Wise Up Janet Weiss) Thank you. It's like being constantly heckled here, it's bizarre! (laughter) And I'm not even doing a comedy act...well, maybe. But anyway...um...but, yeah you can probably find that and you can see me in the gear, and it was all right. Right, another question. Yes, ma'am?
I just wanted to say that the song you wrote for your daughter that you played last night at the banquet was beautiful and I wondered if you had any plans for a new album besides Music for Elevators?
Tony: Do I have any plans for any new albums? Yeah, well, I mean, basically...ah...yes, lots of them. (laughing) But... um...it's been a busy old year, thankfully (looks upwards) Thank you very much. Which...um...the universe has seen fit to sort of give me a lot to do. Um...basically when I...I had a movie that fell through afterwards - I did two shows at the beginning of the year, I did Peter Pan and Pirates of Penzance. (applause from the audience) Thank you...ah...thank you (he seemed surprised by the applause) But anyway, I did that. (makes a mock heroic pose and ends up giggling) And...um...ah...at the end I was supposed to do a movie which didn't...that fell through right at the last minute, which was a bummer. And I was going to do a movie in Canada which fell through. So I suddenly had a lot of time, and you'd think at that moment I would be able to go off and write and do some stuff, but no... Because when there's sort of...when I'm free, I'm kind of very busy at home. And at the time we had a bunch of courses going on at the farm and I was helping out with lunches and what not, and you know, and stuff...life takes over. So, when I finally get...I don't know - I don't know when I'll do it. The reason I was able to do Music for Elevators is because I was in LA, away from everything, and sort of, you know, twiddling my thumbs going "Hmm, what should I do now?" - besides doing acting class. I was able to hook up with George and we were able to write and do all that stuff. Even then, I sort of fit it into going back and forth to England, so it's a matter of time really. I talked to...um...to a guitarist, a really, really lovely guy who worked with Seal a lot...um...and we sort of agreed that we'll do it. And...um...there's a guy who's got a studio in Bath who said he'll do it. And we'll sort of...we'll go thirdsies and we won't bother about record companies and all that {...} because they're really annoying. Ugh. You have no idea...even when you know, you think, something like, I don't know, like a small, independent record company and you think this is it. This isn't like the record business. Um... you think, you know this nice, sort of little home-cooked thing, and they still manage to - (he stops to pose for someone taking a picture) - screw it up. Um... but anyway...I... you know, at some point, I hope that while I can still sing, I will do it. And you know... I...bear in mind that people say that you know, will you do an acoustic album because we couldn't hear the voice on the other one. (mock complaining voice) Um...and that's...and thing with...you know, the voice mixed back into the track is all about me. It's that kind of...the singer's thing, you want the voice to be an instrument like everything else, so mix it back. I had this perennial argument with my father about, you know, "Can't hear the voices on that" (he switches back and forth between his own voice and imitating his father) "Well, you know, it's there." "Well, it's not loud enough!" (mumbles something in his voice) That's how my father talks by the way. Um...and he sniffs a lot. When he says, you know, "Can't hear the voice (loud sniff)" You have no idea how true that is. Occasionally Sarah catches me sniffing and she says "Don't you do that!" So...another question. Yes, ma'am.
The next question was about achieving the goals he'd set out for himself.
Tony: Wow. Of all the goals I set out when I was a young actor...um...what have I reached and if...those I haven't...what am I going to do about it? Um... I don't know. I had all these, sort of when you're approaching your thirtieth birthday, you kind of go (gasps) Well, some of you are approaching your thirtieth birthday, but some of us have been there, quite frankly. And...um...there's this sort of you know, "I don't know...if I'm not sort of...if I haven't made it, I'm going to give up" Of course you get to your thirtieth birthday and you haven't made it in whatever sense that is, and you think...oh phft. Oh stuff it, I'll keep going. And then, once you let go, amazingly, it sort of all happens, once you stop sort of fixating about things. Um...I guess the most important thing, I think it goes for anybody, is... is...um... pleasing yourself, basically actually, once...that moment when you actually go "You know? That was all right" and you don't need anybody else's, you know, okay, and you don't need anybody else saying "Gosh, that was awfully good", patting you on the back, and giving you the applause. There are a couple of things I've done now which I was just, I was really, really chuffed by. It was like, I didn't, I didn't recognize the guy on the screen, and he was somebody else. And that's great. And that's really all that you can want. And once you've actually worked that out for yourself, you just go "Okay, I don't need anybody else's affirmation." Um...that's really it, that's as far as it goes. So from here on in, it's just enjoying it, and enjoying ... there is of course some things that I want to play, or whatever, but...um...I'm constantly surprised by, you know, by what comes up and the challenges that I'm offered. Everything has a reason and everything happens for a reason, and ah, that's what makes it exciting. As long as it's still exciting, I'm in. Yes? (he tries to see the next person asking a question) Um... I'm blind as a fucking bat. Um...Yes?
What's your favorite song from Once More, With Feeling?
Tony: Now I can't hear it. Can anybody else hear it? (audience tells him the question) What was my favorite song... um...well, I kinda liked mine! Um...no, you know, it was cool to sing, but...I liked...I thought...um...Spike's was really cool as well. I tell you, the whole thing was just a blast. You know, from the moment I got the CD in the post. Um...you know, Joss had been away on holiday and they sent the CD, and I listened to it, and I was like, "Fuck it all, we got a musical! Excellent!" (laughs) And I'm sorry if there's any small people who don't like swearing, I'm very sorry, if there are any mothers or parents who don't like their children hearing swearing, then (shrugs in a "oh well" sort of way). What can I say? Um...take 'em away now! (mutters something to someone sitting in front) There's a little one spinning up there who's not hearing anything anyway, she's just like (spins around like a little kid and fakes dizziness) Oh god, I shouldn't have done that. Yes?
Someone starts to ask a question and a woman starts applauding before it's done
Tony: You are keen madam. Sorry, were the Taster's Choice commercials what?
The rest of the question is asked and it's something about the Taster's Choice commercials.
Tony: Oh yeah! Um...basically, Taster's Choice, and it started life as a commercial in England called Gold Blend. We did...we'd done something like...um...six of them? And...um...I was hoping, hoping to god that it would get picked up in America. I was at a lunch given by a Nestle , at the {...} race course, bizarrely, and...um...I sort of said something, "You know, it might be good if this was going to be shown in America. Huh?" And they went "Oh, no it's called something else, it's called Taster's Choice. Can't dub that over Gold Blend". Oh, well, all right. I suppose so... I don't know then about a year later, Sharon called me up and said...um..."They're testing for a commercial for the States" so we both went up for it. And...um...initially mistakenly, they put somebody else in, they put another girl in. Stupid people. Needless to say, just like...it ...you know, they went...oops. And they got Sharon in. And...um...it was... I don't know, it was basically...in England it had the effect... it was a lot of profile, very big profile, and it meant I did a lot of theatre work. I was offered lots of fantastic lead roles in that because it was sort of bums in the seats. But in terms of TV and film, it kind of, I don't know, closed a few doors, it was very odd. People were going, look, this is a serious drama, we don't want people reaching for their coffee jars. Somebody actually said that to my agent, it was...okay. So...it was the kind of...and also, at the same time, we'd done a few here, and it had kind of similar effect. The profile was being raised, and Sharon and I were doing things like Good Morning America and all that stuff. And then...um...basically it was, you know, the impetus that brought me over here. Sarah and I sat down and she was like "Look, if you don't do it now, it ain't going to be happen, and this is kind of the time to see if you can broaden the marketplace." And so she said, "I'll stay home with the kids, you go over there and see what we can do." We all went over on our summer holiday, and I got an agent, and then came back. And then, you know, sort of went backwards and forwards. And the fact that she was prepared to be a single mother for what turned out to be seven years, she was quite remarkable. You know, I wouldn't be here without her so... she's a very special person, but anyway, you know. Stop. (rather embarrassed with himself at this point) Yes?
The next question is also about the coffee commercials from a woman who joked that she had to go into therapy when the ex-husband showed up.
Tony: (who has been laughing throughout the question) We really are on the coffee commercials, aren't we? Yes. The question is, was I as devastated as everyone else when I opened the door, and there was her boyfriend... I can't even remember that! I mean, all I know is that basically, the whole thing went - in America she had a son, and ah...and an ex-husband, and that was one of the reasons it finally got - it finally got pulled, because the new head of Nestlé's was a born-again Christian and didn't like the fact that I ..you know, she was...there was any kind of relationship between somebody who'd been married. (mock indignation) It was like, come on, get over it! You know, like, it's life! And you know, it's about...well, it's selling your coffee. Well, actually that was the problem. It was selling everybody else's coffee as well (laughs) I think that was the real problem. It was the fact that it did wonders for...I thought we had a terrible goal, trying to sell Americans instant coffee, I have to say. Um...but we did, and actually sort of put instant coffee on the map, and...um...it sold everybody else's as well. Which is why, people often say "You're the {...} guy!" And, "God, you're the Folgers Dude!" Just like (motions to the side of the stage) Um...but...um...the best thing was the fact that her ex-husband was played by Trevor Eve who is Sharon's real husband. And so, we had... bless him he did say as soon as he came on board, he said look - Ohhhh... funky move, dude. (said to someone up front) Um...basically he said "Once I'm on board, I'll be the kiss of death and it'll close the campaign" And it did. (laughs) But...um...much to his chagrin...I always said that I had really good chemistry with Sharon, I mean the whole thing was our onscreen chemistry was really good. And he always used to say, "Well, tu-uh" (in a disgusted tone) And I - that means "tu-uh" And we had one scene where we were all together and his chemistry with her as husband and wife, and my - it was like, it was something. We didn't have to act. It was just really really cool. It was...um...it was one of those things that you know, it's, you know, it like real. Uncanny. Anyway, I can't remember what...I'm sorry, that didn't really answer your question but I just went waffling on anyway. Yes, madam?
Two people start asking a question at the same time.
Tony: Oh! Sorry. Okay...there was one behind you, but we'll get there...we'll get there in a minute. Yes. No, no, no, carry on. You started, so, you'll finish.
The question is about her favorite Giles scenes being with other characters who got him riled up, such as Ethan and Professor Walsh and what his favorite scenes to do were.
Tony: Um...I always enjoyed the stuff with Robin. Ah...I have to say, in fact, I, you know...James and I always basically said that we didn't get enough to do together, but we always enjoyed it. Um...I guess some of my favorite scenes, though, were with Sarah Michelle because, we, I don't know, it was sort of very...I don't know, it was like a relationship that wasn't...any part...nothing else in Buffy was like that, the sort of, you know, the Watcher thing. And it was, I don't know. I was always...looking forward to our little moments. But, I don't know. I didn't have any sort of real, I don't know, special "Oh it'd be really cool to work with so-and-so" because all of it was just so cool. It's just like...I looked forward to working on the show, and sometimes I worked more than others. But I mean, it was just, I loved...just, I don't know, doing that stuff. It was just so cool.
The person then asks about chasing Professor Walsh when Giles was a demon
Tony: (laughs) Did I get some satisfaction out of chasing after Prof. Walsh as the demon? Well, yes. So, I mean, well basically, Joss was...it wasn't Joss's episode but he was around. And it was while we were shooting on a backlot, and I seem to...I can't remember how I chased her, kind of (demonstrates walking awkwardly like a zombie or Frankenstein) And he said...um...I want more of this! (flailing arms around) So, that's what he got. Um...but yes, I did, I enjoyed that episode tremendously, I had a fantastic time. Um...and ah...it was, don't know. I said yesterday they told me I was going to be a demon and I was really excited about being the bad guy and ended up being a funny guy, but I loved it. Yes, in the red shirt, yes.
In the 100th episode where you got to be the one who killed Ben and Glory, which by the way is one of my favorite scenes of yours, the way you handled it. Did you have any particular reaction to...
Tony: You mean (mimics smothering Ben and then laughs) Did I do what?
Did you have a particular reaction to Giles being the one who actually finally kills the Big Bad for that season and saving Buffy from it. I mean, the writing was amazing but as the actor, did you have a reaction to that whole scene.
Tony: Um...well...(stumbles over his words for a moment and ends up laughing at himself) Um...anything they gave me like that, it was, you know...and they did give me some moments like that which were truly, you know, life changing, and that's always really really cool to play because you know that it's going to have a serious knock on effect to your character. And it's, you just think...um...the thing that I loved about the character is the fact that he did go through an extraordinary journey, and that sort of stuff is just so cool to play as an actor, because it's not like... you know, I've seen some soaps in America where you know, people become nuns and then they sort of hide...and then they become space aliens, and then.. anything to sort of like, you know, give it a kick. But ah, the thing about Buffy was that the changes were real, and you know, as I said yesterday, there was never, you know, nothing ever happened without a repercussion, without some knock on effect. So...coming back into...season...three, I think it was, after Jenny was killed! (mock distress and tears) Um...I was able to sort of, think about, you know, how is that going to affect me? Will that affect me? (another melodramatic sob) Will that affect me, you know, to look at. Will it change the way I appear? And you know, I talked it over with a couple - I talked it over with Sarah, the idea basically that...um...you know...when you're very hurt, you kind of tend to put on a front that shows the world that you're not, that you're not going to be affected so I was able to - do you want to get that? (to someone whose cell phone is ringing) Shall we all listen? Sorry. Um... um... that was the whole thing, I mean, I got new glasses. Which was sort of... (someone in the audience says he polished the other ones to death) I know, I did polish them. In fact, they even put it in the script at one point: "He polishes his glasses so much he breaks them." Um...but um, I guess you know, then I sort of, I decided, I have to change after the image, a sort of like a cover image, I got fitted sort of 30s kind of suits, high-waisted, tight...not tight, but you know. And I ended up...yeah I had a very interesting wardrobe that year with sort of...vests, and things. Anyway, but that was the idea. So it was nice to be able to kind of, take how the character is affected by all that he's done, how that manifests itself. It's good stuff to do as an actor. Yes...
Next question is asked
Tony: (laughs before they are done) I will explain in a minute...
rest of question
Tony: Um... Oh! That kind of action! Sorry, the question was, do I have any regret that Giles didn't get more action, and I was thinking, chases (mimics running) and, well, I always got knocked out! But the action you mean is of a sexual nature (laughs) Um... whoo! Um...it was just, yeah, Jenny. (sobs again) And you said you didn't get, you didn't get...
more from audience
Tony: Yeah, yeah...(laughs at something said from audience) Um...yeah the trouble with Giles, you know, he needed to be...he needed to have, you know, all that inner turmoil. You know, if he was getting laid regularly, he wouldn't have it, you know. He'd be a happy bunny! (laughs) So...you know, they talked about how, basically the fact that she...you know...having sort of said "Can you cope with my existence?", I mean, they couldn't have an on and off thing "Oh, but maybe, but no...shall I... but..." so they sent her off. And then I couldn't make out with Buffy's mom for too long. That didn't have {...}. But they couldn't kill another one, because that would just be too unfair, and you know, Giles would end up barking, you know, and not in a good way. So...no, it was all right, you know, it was always nice to have, you know...sort of...it always felt like...I don't know I mean, your character is attracted to the opposite sex - maybe he should have been gay? Maybe Giles should have been gay, that would - (several people in the audience whoop their appreciation of that idea - slash fans, I suspect - and Tony breaks up laughing) I guess you like that idea. (Tony keeps laughing) Yes, madam?
Woman says something about fanfiction
Tony: Do I realize how much ammunition I gave to the fanfiction? Listen, the fanfiction people are going to be off writing anyway, whatever I say. (laughs) I don't think I have any effect on that. And I'm sure there must have been, must have been a Giles gay scenario at some point. (much agreement from audience) I'm sure somebody must have put him together with Ethan Rayne, didn't they? Yes?
Next question
Tony: Apron. (confirming that to the person asking the question) Um...how did I feel about doing some...well, you know, the bottom line is... the one thing I do draw a line at was, the director, very excitedly when I had the thing with the apron, said, "Um...we have permission to shoot full frontal, if that's all right, do you want to do that?" I went (makes a face of mock disgust) How am I gonna tell you this, dude? No. I really...um...because it's...you know, it's just as far as I'm concerned, it's not the most attractive part of the human anatomy, on anybody! But...um...you know, that's my personal thing! But no...no you don't want to see that, you really don't want to see that. Um...but no, I kind of didn't have a problem with it, you know...me bottom is me bottom, it's all right, it's not in a bad state (the audience cheers agreement, with a few catcalls thrown in, making him laugh) Um...I mean I had to do, it was actually more nervewracking to...somebody said that they caught an episode of Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place recently, in which I took...all my clothes off, and...um...but I had a...I had a dance belt on...and they shot it - in fact they blew it at one point. No, not (realizes the possible double entendre and starts laughing) They...the whole idea was supposed to be... I was supposed to stand behind the vase at the appropriate moment, and sort of just be covered at various angles, and there was one where you can clearly see the dance belt, so I don't think I pulled the wool over anybody's eyes. Um...yes?
Next question
Tony: Um...did everybody hear that? (of course not) Phffft... was there any time when I forgot my lines and improved and they kept it in, or that I sort of felt Giles wouldn't say it like that and changed it. Um... I can't think of any instances where there was any sort of - the only time we were all given license to improv...ah...was...there was one scene, I can't remember, but we were all stood around...um...you know those marker boards, and, and Joss said "Oh, just improv." And we were...crap. No one knew who to speak first, it was (acts it out looking around confused) But I can't think of any...because usually it was, a fairly...um...it was a tight ship, and basically the dialogue was the dialogue. Yes, one changed it occasionally, yes...um... you didn't usually if it was a Joss script just because it was so tight. The bottom line was that, you know - I'm doing a show now called Monarch of the Glen in England (one person reacts) Whoo! (rather weakly) Um...it's...it's...it's a cool show, but the scriptwriting is not...brilliant, it has to be said. Basically, it's all about the scenery. It's beautiful, and you know, we sort of stand in front of it, and you know that people are just looking at the mountains (laughs). Somebody actually... there's this actress called Susan Hampshire, and she's been, you know, she's been the star of various, various things...she's sort of one of the main characters that's still remaining...it's been going for six years which is unheard of in England, so they must be doing something right. Um...but somebody came up to her in the airport and said, "Oh, Miss Hampshire. We love Monarch of the Glen, we love to watch it every Sunday on the telly with the sound turned down." That's about the size of it, really. But, so...yes, that kind of stuff, you know, you constantly try, you know, to change things and make it slightly more natural, but with Joss's stuff, you didn't really have to bother. And occasionally, you know, I'd argue, I'd argue {...} excuse the expression...to sort of say, look, can I say this and can I say that, and he always...if he didn't agree, he'd always have a very, very rational argument like, "I don't want you to." Um...you know he was always very cool, always very open-minded. Yes?
The woman with the porn star name question on Saturday was asking all the guests today what super power they would like to have.
Tony: (shakes his head in amusement) Um...if I could have one super power, what would it be? I don't know, what would yours be?
I couldn't hear the response but it made him giggle
Tony: You'd be a feline animal?
more from audience and Tony starts nodding his head in understanding
Tony: So what's wrong with horses? Or dogs? And bunny rabbits, come on! Um...okay. Um...oh, I don't know...I suppose it'd be kind of... (makes an "I dunno" sound) Um...(giggles) I have no idea! Flying. You've got to be able to fly, that would be cool. I mean, flying would be like the best thing in the world. Yeah. I'd like to fly. Can you do it? (steps forward as if to accept the power from her) Well, you're no fun. Yes. In the front.
audience question
Tony: Giles seemed almost two-dimensional?! Until you saw Ripper? (in a disbelieving tone) Noooo. How do I like Band Candy? Oh...basically the thing about Band Candy is that they wrote him... um...street so he was kind of like, you know, he was...street. And you know they described this thing with the cigarette packet, and you know, his t-shirt and thing. And I was thinking, well I've got to somehow relate this to how I was as a teen. But, I never, ever, ever wore a cigarette packet in my t-shirt. (laughs) And I wasn't particularly street. But what I did do, was...I mean, I used to, I mean my father was sort of public school educated which is why he talks like that. Um...and sniffs. Because they all do in public school (sniffs) (laughter) Um...but...um...basically I had to...you know, he used to say, you know, it's not...um...it's 'you', not 'yow'... and so you'd have to...but when I talked like that in school I had all kinds of shit beaten out of me, so...um...I used to have one persona at home, and one persona at home...at school. And even now, when I get into a taxi, I'll start talking like that and people will say "Who the fuck are you?" Because you know, that's that's...I do, you know, have a sort of...a tendency to sort of shift and meander in terms of who I am. Um...and, so...I kind of figured that maybe that's what Giles had done. He sort of...he had to have a very sort of...not a strict upbringing, but a very suburban upbringing. His father was a grocer after all...or maybe an RAF pilot. Um... so I sort of got a feel of it. But it was fun sort of having to think, and watching Kristine go through the same process, but as Buffy's mom. And you know, our relative teens, which were, I don't know, fascinating. It was very fun. Um...yes?
Two people start to talk at once
Tony: Oh...hold on, hold on, I'll get you, I'll get you...two more. Just the lady here...Phyllis. Phyllis? Phyllis, yes.
question
Tony: Um...but...she doesn't understand why during the entire run of Buffy why a guy as good-looking as me (rolls eyes) wouldn't have girls chasing him no matter what. Um...what... well basically because, just...um...as I said...um...it...the character was more interesting in the fact that he was alone. Very much alone. And so, basically what Joss has talked about if he wanted to...if he ever does some form of Ripper...um...he's...you know, we were talking about the fact that he didn't want to do an hour long series, because he didn't want it to be, you know, like Giles coming across the new bad guy every week and having to deal with it. He was much more interested in doing something with...which got into the psyche of the guy. Sorry, did you want, was a corollary?
more from audience
Tony: How did I like being the bad guy? I mean... how did I like being the bad guy on the show that I set Spike up. I kind of said this yesterday and I felt...I felt it wasn't so much being a bad guy. As far as Giles was concerned, he was righting a wrong. Spike had raped Buffy, and as far as he was concerned, she was his ward, and so... um...you know, if...it kind of made perfect sense to me as...that my character... well he wasn't...yes he was setting Spike up, but Spike was unspeakable. Sorry, that's the way it was, for me. Yes.
new question
Tony: Have I ever in my career, lost my love for theatre, and if so, how did I get it back? No, I didn't lose my love of theatre, I've never done that, but I did...um...I lost my bottle at one point. I did...um... (audience wants to know what that means) I did ah...lost my bottle. (more confusion from audience) Well, that's for me to know, and for you to find out. Um...basically...um...I...well I'll explain, and then you'll know what losing your bottle is. Um...um...I suppose it is really, you lose your bottle {...} Anyway...um... basically I did...ah...a couple of trade show things. The first one was a huge success, and was basically one of those things you know, you do as an actor to earn a crust. They paid extremely well, and I had to front this sort of dance extravaganza...um... where I was sort of...I had to lip sync to a pre-recorded track while I was telling them all about what this company had done over the years. Incredibly boring, but, you know, they were happy. Um...and they had sort of dancers and things going on in the background, and sort of fireworks going off and what not. So they asked us to do another one, which was for a financial company. And it was all sorts of facts and figures and what they'd achieve in the interim and all that old {...} and I hadn't the faintest idea what they were talking about. And...we call it in England, we call it drying...you say...um...going up here. Basically, I forgot my words. Not once, but twice, a third time, at which point I just wanted to die. And bless her, the woman who was sort of on with me sort of tried to help me out, and it was horrible. And the guy, one of the...the director afterwards said, you know, "Well done" and I said "Huh, huh. Really?" Um...and I said, well I won't be working for this company again. (then mimics someone making embarrassed, "Yeah, you're right" noises) Um...but, basically, I did...I kind of suddenly lost all my confidence, and I just didn't ever want to go on stage again. And it took a play called Patriot for Me, which I did actually in Los Angeles...um...but we did it in Chichester first, and then they did it at the West End, I didn't do it at the West End, but basically I was onstage for about twenty five minutes, and I had about, I don't know, six lines. But, all I had to be was in love with Alan Bates, and that's not hard. Um...and ah...he takes me to a...it's all about...um...the whole thing...a guy called Redl, who was a spy for the Austro-Hungarian army. No, he was a spy for the Russians, he was in the Austro-Hungarian army. It was all about gays, and all sorts of things. And he takes me to this gay ball, and I'm sort of...I'm in love with him, but I'm appalled by everything that's going on. I digress. Anyway! Now.. That was...and that got me over it. Basically, it was fantastic, I just had to...I was able to act and do my thing, and, you know, I got a lot of notices for it. It was excellent, and I didn't have to sort of remember lines. And since then, it's all right. Yeah...oh no, just before I get to you, the geezer in the suit. Yeah. That's you sir! Sorry.
question
Tony: If I happen to be a sports fan? No. Sorry. One of the greatest... (some people have started to applaud and he laughs) You don't have to do much to get a round of applause around here. "No, I don't like sports" Yeah! It's one of the greatest...um...amazements that I actually managed to find a partner who doesn't like sports much either. I mean, I was into...the Olympics is cool, and you know, you get, like the World Cup is all right, you get into that, but I'm just not into this sort of week by week, kind of, football thing. Oh god, I hate cricket! Ugh I hate cricket. Oh my god. Somebody did take me to a baseball game when I was working when I was over here, and that's kind of cool for about thirty minutes and then it just went on! "Can we go?" (like a little bored kid) No! Was that...did you...you know, was that it? Oh, okay. Cool. Yeah..yes?
What kind of farm do you have?
Tony: I'm sorry, actually it was her, but... You see the hand... Yes, madam. Carry on, you start off, and then we'll go to the lady in the back.
Okay, what kind of farm do you have? What do you raise?
Tony: We don't raise anything. Um...what kind of farm do we have?
What Tilley Farm is to you?
Tony: Um...Tilley Farm is basically...um...it's a place that we bought, ah, using some money that was left to Sarah...um...by a friend of hers who...a friend of ours...who...who died falling off a horse. And it's basically...we always wanted to, well Sarah had always wanted to have a center for this work that she does, called Tellington Touch, and...um...it kind of...it all came together. The place came together, and Cynthia left a little money, and...um...it's...we run training courses there, and...um...it's, there's a wildlife refuge that we built there, and we have, something like twenty two horses. We've got ten, but there's a few others on the land. Bunch of dogs, bunch of rabbits. (someone mentions Buffy filming there) Um...the scene with me riding on Otto yeah, that's shot on our farm, and then the stuff with Alyson was done at our house. Yeah...um...it was cool, that was very cool. Does that answer your question? Do you want to check out...if you want to check out what's going on there, go to www.tilleyfarm.co.uk and you'll find it. It's cool. Yes. Sorry, I'm sorry. Before I get to you... (laughs) this could get really exhausting...the back first, yes, madam?
What was it like for you coming back to the show after being on a break. Did you have to adjust to the way the characters had developed their relationships?
Tony: What was it like coming back to the show after I'd been on a break, did I have to adjust to the way the characters... Well, I seem to remember that in season six, I just came back and kicked Willow's ass. (cheers from audience) And then he got trounced, but, I still remember that one (acts out Giles throwing the magic at Willow) No...that's cool. That's cool. Um...but ah...no, I mean the bottom line is...just doing the voicing for the pree-sen-ta-tion recently...the animation thing we did. Um...you know, I was a bit worried about, you know, going back and doing Giles again, but I just put the glasses on. And there he was. (laughs)
Someone in the audience points out he has been facing one side of the room most of the time
Tony: Pardon? Sorry! I've just been asked to do this side, because they can't see my face. Well, I'm... (twists around so his lower body is facing the requested side of the room, but his head is facing the other side of the room because he promised to take a question from over there) Could you... you asked me a question.
The question is about seeing a picture of him in lingerie
Tony: When was the picture of me in lingerie...well, apart from my...um...my private life, which is... (laughs) When was the picture of me...that was me...that was a press photograph we did for Rocky Horror when I first did Frank 'n' Furter. At that point, I didn't have...um...the wig. Um... I had a wig, basically, I had an auburn wig because in that first incarnation....in fact...oh this is very confusing. That was the walkdown stuff. The pink stuff is the walkdown stuff. At that point I had a blonde wig because I was either Rita Harlow or actually Marlene Dietrich. But...um.. (laughter from audience) Thank you. But...um...the first part...because I had this whole thing that no one had actually done before, the fact that it was a B...it was all about B pictures, and I wanted...and it was sort of a 50s crossover, 40s stuff. And I wanted the first incarnation of Frank 'n' Furter to be Rita Hayworth. Um... (laughs) I can't believe I'm talking about this seriously. But...um...something else, you know, because to me, it was like, it had to be...I just didn't want to wear a wig to look like I had different hair, I wanted it to Frank 'n' Furter's choice, and so my brief to the wigmaker was that I wanted it like, he takes it off every night, doesn't do anything with it, so there's things growing in it (someone says "Ew") Yeah! Um...he was...he was a dirty little mother, my Frank 'n' Furter. The whole thing being, you know, he doesn't ever take his makeup off, he just reapplies. And...um...so I had this, I got this...um...this great, ah...stick called Elephant Gray, which...um...which I put on sort of as part of the base, which looked slightly cadaverous, it was marvelous, it was fantastic. Um...so, that I took just a...like, as I say, I took, I've just got masses and masses of base on, and never took it off (laughs) And ah, at the end...um...in Going Home, I used to take the wig off, and of course underneath there was this sort of a rather sad, stocking cap, because the whole thing for me was that he became pathetic at the end, and it worked. And everyone kind of went (gasps) when I took it off...um... But it worked, and it made the whole thing sort of pathos {...} and that's reduced everyone to absolute silence. Um...yeah, I thought it through, and kind of, you know, kind of sort of made it...I wanted to make it mine, and make it different from everybody else's. I can't remember when it was, someone asked me earlier on.. I think it was sometime in the 80s. I can't remember...um...crap, but that's ...um... Somebody from this side. Sorry. Yes.
He's asked if he's seen the original Buffy movie
Tony: (gasps with mock horror) Um...I hadn't, until my agent said perhaps you should see! I mean...I went to the interview, and ah, and Joss very sweetly says I picked up the part and walked away with it tucked under my arm. And then I had to go back and test for, ah, for Fox, and as I walked through the door, I said "Ohh, my agent told me to check the movie out", you know...Joss paled visibly and said, "Please don't ever mention that again. And basically, that's not what we're here to do." And ah...but but...the movie was very much something that he did as a nineteen year old, couldn't get arrested for it, found these people who wanted to do it, but who wanted to teach him how to do comedy. And ah, so they did everything that he was trying to sort of steer away from, all the things that, you know, the idea had always been up until then you couldn't have humor and comedy in a horror movie unless it was...kind of schlocky and kind of schticky, and kind of....meh. So, high camp, basically. And...um...so you know, it was very kind of not what we were up to. He was out to prove that you could have true sardonic wit. And I think he was right. (crowd applauds agreement) How are we doing on time? Five minutes? Well, then I better give you a sing then, hadn't I? (cheers from audience) Thank you. Um...I can do it off a backing track, and I mean, I'll do it...I suppose I could...do we have time for a couple of numbers or should I just do one? (audience shouts for two) Two? Should I do...um...Should I do... (someone yells out for Freebird) Huh? Do the {...} Oh of course Freebird. I'd like to do I Can't Stand the Rain which is number one (addressing the person setting up the backing tracks) Is that a good idea? And then I'll do Sweet Transvestite (more audience cheers) I can't do it without a Brad, is the same Brad here? (people in the audience say he is, but Tony doesn't hear them at first) Oh God. Oh, well...talk amongst yourselves and see if someone can come up with a Brad, because otherwise I'm stuck and I won't be able to do it because I can't do it on my own. Um... He's here? Good man... {...} Anyway, we'll work that out in a bit, let's do...
He sings I Can't Stand the Rain
Tony: Thanks you. Where's Brad? Where's Brad? Is he around? Is he here? Oh, sorry dude. Well, you changed. I wasn't expecting you to wear shorts! Can you remember the words, though, because I don't have them written down. Are you cool?
The guy doing Brad asks if he doesn't want someone else to do it.
Tony: No, no, man, you're a pro! Did you see anybody else put their hands up? Um...I seem to remember that it was track three, isn't it? Or...it's on the front.
He sings Sweet Transvestite. He is more more 'friendly' with Brad than he was the night before at the banquet, rubbing his shoulders and such.
Tony: Thank you. (leaves to wild applause and cheers)